In the EXO3 16x19 you might find more control and lower power with a stiffer 16g gut main such as some Pacific products or BT7-based VS Touch.

As for durability, 16 might be marginally more durable but in a gut/poly hybrid the difference won't be so decisive that you should base your choice on durability over playability. I'd focus more on the feel than durability.

What gauge Outlast are you using? I've been curious about that as a cross for gut mains.

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In the EXO3 16x19 you might find more control and lower power with a stiffer 16g gut main such as some Pacific products or BT7-based VS Touch.

As for durability, 16 might be marginally more durable but in a gut/poly hybrid the difference won't be so decisive that you should base your choice on durability over playability. I'd focus more on the feel than durability.

What gauge Outlast are you using? I've been curious about that as a cross for gut mains.

I'm not crazy about the BT VS which is why I switched to wilson. Which I'll always keep on one frame. But I like to have a subtle alternative as well as a cheaper alternative on the other frame. Pacific hasn't lasted any longer than Klip for me and it's more $ so I've ruled it out. That's why I was wondering if I might get more hours out of Klip 16 vs 17.

Outlast is the perfect cross for me because it's a smooth poly which is what you want to cross gut, and it is control oriented so it helps reign in the power of the gut. I also think it distinguishes itself from all other poly crosses I've used in that it feels the same at 20 hours as it does on day one. So for the life of the gut mains the stringbed feels the same.

Just remember to stock up on the Wilson as who knows when they will switch to BT7. I can't imagine Babolat keeping two process for gut going just for Wilson and Prince.

I find 17 gauge VS to be more comfortable, a tad more spin and power than 16 gauge. As far as durability, you get about 10% more from using 16 gauge and probably 20% more using 15g but I wouldn't bother with that. Unless you break strings like crazy, I would stick with 17gauge.

Just remember to stock up on the Wilson as who knows when they will switch to BT7. I can't imagine Babolat keeping two process for gut going just for Wilson and Prince.

I find 17 gauge VS to be more comfortable, a tad more spin and power than 16 gauge. As far as durability, you get about 10% more from using 16 gauge and probably 20% more using 15g but I wouldn't bother with that. Unless you break strings like crazy, I would stick with 17gauge.

If I had to use 15gauge VS, I might as well just use X1 17g instead.

When I was playing with open string pattern hybrids I gradually migrated from 17g to 15g mains. You do lose a little power, I can't honestly say I experienced a noticable change in control or spin, but durability was significantly better. Comfort was great too.

I've been playing 18x20's for a while now and because of the dense pattern, strings seem to last much longer - not dropped below 16g gun mains.

Just remember to stock up on the Wilson as who knows when they will switch to BT7. I can't imagine Babolat keeping two process for gut going just for Wilson and Prince.

I find 17 gauge VS to be more comfortable, a tad more spin and power than 16 gauge. As far as durability, you get about 10% more from using 16 gauge and probably 20% more using 15g but I wouldn't bother with that. Unless you break strings like crazy, I would stick with 17gauge.

If I had to use 15gauge VS, I might as well just use X1 17g instead.

I won't be going to 15 that's for sure. So a couple of you are saying the durability increase between 17 and 16 isn't significant. I think unless I felt assured of getting at least about 10 more hours out of the 16 I wouldn't want to make the switch.

So a couple of you are saying the durability increase between 17 and 16 isn't significant. I think unless I felt assured of getting at least about 10 more hours out of the 16 I wouldn't want to make the switch.

Call me 'Master of the Obvious', but you need to give 16 (or 16L) a try for yourself. Longevity can depend on your frame, tension, string pattern, playing style, surface, conditions, and in some cases, your opponents.

Call me 'Master of the Obvious', but you need to give 16 (or 16L) a try for yourself. Longevity can depend on your frame, tension, string pattern, playing style, surface, conditions, and in some cases, your opponents.

yeah, that's true. I was just looking to see if there was a clear consenus that might rule it out or put the wind in my sails before putting the time and $$ into it.

Seeing how TW is out of 17g Klip again I may have no choice but to try it.

I'm not crazy about the BT VS which is why I switched to wilson. Which I'll always keep on one frame. But I like to have a subtle alternative as well as a cheaper alternative on the other frame. Pacific hasn't lasted any longer than Klip for me and it's more $ so I've ruled it out. That's why I was wondering if I might get more hours out of Klip 16 vs 17.

Outlast is the perfect cross for me because it's a smooth poly which is what you want to cross gut, and it is control oriented so it helps reign in the power of the gut. I also think it distinguishes itself from all other poly crosses I've used in that it feels the same at 20 hours as it does on day one. So for the life of the gut mains the stringbed feels the same.

As a side note, don't forget to check prices on Volkl/Boris Becker natural gut. It is OEM'd by Klip (it is first quality) and goes on sale more frequently than both Klip and Pacific branded products. From time to time really good deals pop up.

When I was playing with open string pattern hybrids I gradually migrated from 17g to 15g mains. You do lose a little power, I can't honestly say I experienced a noticable change in control or spin, but durability was significantly better. Comfort was great too.

I've been playing 18x20's for a while now and because of the dense pattern, strings seem to last much longer - not dropped below 16g gun mains.

For me, 15g was a significant drop compared to 16 and 17g and durability was only about 20% better. Given I don't break strings that often, it was an easy choice to stick with 17g.

How many hours of play could you get from one set of Wilson Natural Gut 17 gauge?
(17 is the important part of the question)

I usually get about 12 hours to 15 hours with a smooth copoly before the strings breakl. With 16 gauge, I probably get about 15 to 18 hours but for me, it's doesn't feel as nice as 17g and I since I don't play that much, a set usually lasts me about a month so it's not that big of a difference.

If you are like my friend who breaks it every 3 to 5 hours and plays more often, that could hurt your wallet .

I usually get about 12 hours to 15 hours with a smooth copoly before the strings breakl. With 16 gauge, I probably get about 15 to 18 hours but for me, it's doesn't feel as nice as 17g and I since I don't play that much, a set usually lasts me about a month so it's not that big of a difference.

If you are like my friend who breaks it every 3 to 5 hours and plays more often, that could hurt your wallet .

I usually get about 12 hours to 15 hours with a smooth copoly before the strings breakl. With 16 gauge, I probably get about 15 to 18 hours but for me, it's doesn't feel as nice as 17g and I since I don't play that much, a set usually lasts me about a month so it's not that big of a difference.

If you are like my friend who breaks it every 3 to 5 hours and plays more often, that could hurt your wallet .

That's the most useful reply yet. So really the durability for the same player on the same racquet going from 17g to 16g is fairly minimal.

However, I've noticed that if I don't play with a racquet much that the actual playing time of those gut mains gets diminished greatly because they dry out and get more fragile.